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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU not to take DS2 to a family party?

110 replies

Robin781 · 09/08/2026 14:05

DS2 is 9mo. Hardly any of my extended family have been to visit us/see him since he was born. When DS1 was 4mo, we had a ‘welcome to the world’ type party at our expense, where close friends, immediate and extended family were invited for a full meal and met DS1. However, a lot of the same friends and family also came home to visit us and meet him before or after. We are attending a ‘big birthday’ party next weekend for an extended family member. AIBU to not want to take DS2 to this - for extended family to meet him for the first time - when they haven’t made the effort to check in or come and see us after he was born? No backstory, it just feels like people just haven’t made the effort. We have made the effort to visit elderly relatives with him who may not have been able to come and see us otherwise.

OP posts:
BoredZelda · 09/08/2026 14:14

Robin781 · 09/08/2026 14:05

DS2 is 9mo. Hardly any of my extended family have been to visit us/see him since he was born. When DS1 was 4mo, we had a ‘welcome to the world’ type party at our expense, where close friends, immediate and extended family were invited for a full meal and met DS1. However, a lot of the same friends and family also came home to visit us and meet him before or after. We are attending a ‘big birthday’ party next weekend for an extended family member. AIBU to not want to take DS2 to this - for extended family to meet him for the first time - when they haven’t made the effort to check in or come and see us after he was born? No backstory, it just feels like people just haven’t made the effort. We have made the effort to visit elderly relatives with him who may not have been able to come and see us otherwise.

Why have a party for your first and not your second? That’s perhaps the same reason other people aren’t acting the same way with your second?

Don’t bring them if you don’t want to. It’s petty and childish, but that’s up to you.

SleepQuest33 · 09/08/2026 14:13

It seems to me that you like attention, you’re upset your precious child, who in your motherly eyes is the best thing to have happened EVER (understandably) , isn’t the most important thing to others.

I am sorry to say you sound like a 12 year old. Time to grow up and don’t live with a heart full of resentment. As Elsa would say LET IT GO.

Robin781 · 09/08/2026 14:13

SixAndJuliet · 09/08/2026 14:12

Isn’t that the opposite of what you said?

Sorry, edited now for typo!!

OP posts:
InfoSecInTheCity · 09/08/2026 14:13

You seem to be equating taking your child to a family party as being a reward for good behaviour on the part of your family, and not taking him as being a punishment to them for not behaving the way you would have liked.

Your son is just a part of your family and therefore should go to appropriate family occasions like every other member of the family.

thistimelastweek · 09/08/2026 14:13

I'm not quite sure what you're hoping to achieve.
Is your son's absence intended to convey message? If so, I doubt it will have any effect.

SixAndJuliet · 09/08/2026 14:12

Robin781 · 09/08/2026 14:10

We would attend with DS1, DS2 would stay at home with DGPs

Edited

Isn’t that the opposite of what you said?

Robin781 · 09/08/2026 14:10

Favouritefruits · 09/08/2026 14:08

If you don’t want to go don’t go, if you do then go??? Totally up to you!

We would attend with DS1, DS2 would stay at home with DGPs

OP posts:
Favouritefruits · 09/08/2026 14:08

If you don’t want to go don’t go, if you do then go??? Totally up to you!

Rainallnight · 09/08/2026 14:07

It’s second child syndrome, sorry.

GoodkneeBadKnee · 09/08/2026 14:06

Sounds a bit petty on your part.